Abstract

Background

The mode of action of Lycium chinense Miller root extract in skin care has never been explored. In the present study, Lycium chinense Miller root was extracted by the supercritical fluid CO2 extraction method.

Methods

In the present study, the components of the root extract were analyzed by HPLC. The
effects of the extract on tyrosinase activity and melanin content were determined
spectrophotometrically; the expression of melanogenesis-related proteins was determined
by Western blotting; the possible signaling pathways involved in the root extract-mediated
depigmentation were also investigated using specific inhibitors.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the SFE of Lycium chinense Miller root inhibited melanogenesis in B16F10 cells by down-regulation of both mitogen-activated
protein kinases (MAPK) and protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathways or through its
antioxidant properties.